Part B: Example 1 and 2

This reflective essay aims to critically describe, analyse and reflect towards two teaching
sessions attended as part of the FHRM module. Reflective practice is a valuable tool for
understanding and improving learning experiences, especially during the transition to
university life. To structure this reflection, Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle has been chosen due to
its clear and iterative framework, which encourages a detailed examination of
experiences through six stages—description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion,
and action plan. This model is particularly suited for first-year students as it promotes
self-awareness, encourages actionable learning, and fosters a deeper connection
between theoretical concepts and personal experiences.

Teaching Session 1: Introduction to Human Resource Management

As a Year 1 student in the Business Management program, I attended a teaching session

that introduced the concept and importance of Human Resource Management (HRM).
This session was delivered in two parts: a lecture providing foundational definitions and a
tutorial featuring a professional video on HRM’s real-world applications. Using Gibbs'
Reflective Cycle (1988), I will reflect on my learning experience and its impact on
developing conceptual skills and ideational fluency.

Description

The session began with a lecture explaining the definitions and importance of HRM. The
lecturer introduced key concepts, such as HRM being “the strategic management of an
organization’s workforce to maximize performance and achieve organizational goals.”
Examples of HRM functions, like recruitment, training, employee engagement, and legal
compliance, were discussed in detail. The importance of HRM in fostering a motivated,
productive, and ethically compliant workforce was emphasized.

In the tutorial, we watched a video featuring HR professionals sharing insights into their
roles, challenges, and strategies for managing people effectively. After the video, we
worked in groups to create our definitions of HRM based on our understanding of the
lecture and tutorial materials. Each group presented their definitions, and we received
feedback from peers and the instructor.

The goal was to enhance our conceptual skills by analyzing HRM from multiple
perspectives and improve ideational fluency by formulating and presenting our unique
definitions.

Feelings

Initially, I felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension. While I was eager to learn about HRM,
I was unsure about grasping its broader implications. The lecture helped clarify the
theoretical aspects, and I felt more confident by the end. However, during the tutorial, I
felt slightly overwhelmed watching HR professionals discuss their roles, as it was difficult
to relate theoretical knowledge to practical experiences at first.

When tasked with creating a definition, I felt a sense of excitement and responsibility.
Working in a group was enjoyable, as it allowed me to learn from my peers, but I also felt
nervous about presenting our ideas to the class. Receiving feedback was reassuring and
helped me appreciate the value of different perspectives.

Evaluation

The session had several strengths. The lecture provided a clear and structured
introduction to HRM, which helped build my foundational understanding. Using real-world
examples made the concepts relatable and interesting. The tutorial video added depth
by showing HRM in action, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

The group activity was a highlight, as it encouraged collaboration and creativity. It was
rewarding to see how each group interpreted HRM differently, reflecting diverse
perspectives.

However, there were challenges. During the tutorial, some concepts from the video felt
too advanced, making it hard to connect them to the lecture. Additionally, time
constraints limited our ability to refine our definitions and incorporate all the feedback we
received.

Analysis

This teaching session helped me develop conceptual skills and ideational fluency in
meaningful ways. Conceptual skills involve the ability to understand complex ideas and
see the bigger picture. By examining HRM from both theoretical and practical
perspectives, I began to appreciate its strategic importance in organizations. For
instance, I understood how HRM aligns employee goals with organizational objectives,
balancing productivity and well-being.

The exercise of creating a definition enhanced my ideational fluency by encouraging me

to think creatively and articulate my ideas. Synthesizing information from the lecture and
tutorial required critical thinking, as I had to identify the core aspects of HRM and present
them in a concise yet comprehensive manner.

Working in a group also taught me the importance of collaboration in refining ideas.

Listening to my peers’ interpretations broadened my understanding of HRM and inspired
me to think beyond my initial perspective.

Despite these benefits, the session highlighted areas for improvement. For example,
providing pre-session reading materials or glossaries could have prepared me better for
understanding the video content. Additionally, extending the tutorial duration would have
allowed for deeper discussions and more refined outputs.

Conclusion

Reflecting on this experience, I realize how the combination of a lecture and tutorial
enriched my understanding of HRM. The theoretical knowledge from the lecture provided
a strong foundation, while the practical insights from the tutorial helped me connect
abstract concepts to real-world applications.

Although I initially struggled with some advanced concepts and felt nervous about
presenting, the session ultimately boosted my confidence and skills. I learned to embrace
challenges as opportunities for growth and appreciated the value of peer learning and
constructive feedback.

In the future, I could improve my preparation by reviewing additional resources before

sessions and actively seeking clarification during lectures or tutorials. Taking more
initiative in group activities could also enhance my contribution and learning experience.

Action Plan

Moving forward, I plan first to engage in pre-session preparation; review reading

materials or watch introductory videos on HRM to build a stronger foundation before
attending lectures and tutorials. Practicing on reflective thinking through the use tools
like Gibbs' Reflective Cycle to regularly evaluate my learning experiences and identify
areas for improvement. In addition, Participating actively in group work relevant to
discussion with my classmates will enable me to share my ideas, understanding and
comprehension on the material and exchange of thoughts. Finally, seeking additional
feedback from instructors and peers to refine my understanding and approach to tasks
would contribute to the enhancement of my knowledge on the material taught.

By implementing these strategies, I aim to strengthen my conceptual skills and ideational

fluency further, enabling me to excel in future assessments and professional challenges.

Conclusion

This teaching session on HRM was a transformative learning experience that not only
deepened my understanding of HRM but also enhanced my critical thinking and
creativity. Applying Gibbs' Reflective Cycle allowed me to evaluate the strengths and
challenges of the session, recognize my growth, and identify strategies for continuous
improvement. As I progress in the Business Management program, I am confident that
the skills and insights gained from this session will serve as a solid foundation for my
academic and professional journey.

Teaching Session 2: Recruitment and Selection

The second session I attended was relevant to the practices of recruitment and selection.
The session was delivered in two parts: a lecture providing fundamental definitions as
well as the equivalent to the practices techniques while the tutorial has assigned the
class cohort with self-assessment activities and tasks. Using Gibbs' Reflective Cycle
(1988), I will reflect on my learning experience and its impact on developing my
knowledge and understanding on the concepts taught as well as self-awareness
enhancement.

Description

The teaching session comprised a lecture and a tutorial. The lecture covered the
definitions, importance, and critical analysis of recruitment and selection practices. It
introduced recruitment as the process of attracting and identifying potential candidates
and selection as the systematic method of assessing and choosing the most suitable
individuals for organizational roles. Key topics included the advantages of structured
versus unstructured interviews, the role of job descriptions, and the importance of
fairness and legal compliance in hiring processes. The lecture also critically analyzed
challenges such as unconscious bias, the reliability of selection tools, and balancing
organizational needs with candidate expectations.

The tutorial focused on enhancing self-awareness. We were assigned personality tests,

such as the Big Five Personality Traits, and emotional intelligence (EI) assessments. After
completing the tests, I had to consider and reflect on how my personalities and
emotional intelligence might impact my behavior in a recruitment and selection context.
I tried thus to analyse how organizations could use these tools to make informed hiring
decisions.

Feelings

Initially, I felt excited about the lecture topic because recruitment and selection are
essential aspects of HRM, which I found intriguing. As the lecture progressed, I
appreciated how the lecturer broke down complex concepts and presented critical
perspectives. However, the critical analysis of unconscious bias and the ethical
implications of recruitment practices left me feeling slightly overwhelmed, as it
highlighted the complexity of making fair and effective hiring decisions.

During the tutorial, I felt curious but slightly apprehensive about taking personality and EI
tests, wondering what the results might reveal. When I saw my results, I experienced a
mix of surprise and self-recognition. While some results aligned with my self-perception,
others challenged how I viewed myself. While informally sharing and discussing these
findings in the group of my classmates made me feel supported and encouraged, as I
realized many of us faced similar uncertainties.

Evaluation

The session had several strengths. The lecture provided a comprehensive overview of
recruitment and selection practices, combining theoretical knowledge with real-world
examples. Critical analysis of challenges, such as bias and reliability, added depth and
encouraged critical thinking.

The tutorial was equally effective in fostering self-awareness. Personality and EI tests
offered valuable insights into my traits and emotional skills.

However, there were some limitations. The lecture, while insightful, felt information-
heavy at times, making it challenging to process all the details. Similarly, in the tutorial,
the time allotted for analysing test results and their implications felt insufficient for
deeper reflection and understanding.

Analysis
This session was instrumental in enhancing my understanding and comprehension of
recruitment and selection practices. By exploring both theoretical concepts and practical
challenges, I gained a holistic view of how organizations approach these processes. For
example, I learned about the advantages of different techniques and tools like
psychometric tests could increase the fairness and validity of selection decisions.

The tutorial’s focus on self-awareness complemented the lecture. Understanding my

personality traits (e.g., openness, conscientiousness) and emotional intelligence helped
me reflect on how I might respond in professional contexts, such as interviews or team
settings. This self-awareness is critical not only for personal development but also for
understanding how organizations evaluate candidates using similar tools.

Moreover, the informal and causal group discussions helped me appreciate the diversity
of personalities and emotional intelligence levels. For instance, hearing a peer explain
how their high level of empathy (a component of EI) could be a strength in customer-
facing roles highlighted how different traits could align with specific job requirements.

Despite these positive outcomes, I recognized some areas for improvement. For
example, the lecture could have included more interactive elements, such as polls or
brief discussions, to break down the dense content. In the tutorial, providing more time
or follow-up activities for analysing test results would have allowed for deeper insights.

Conclusion

Reflecting on this experience, I realize how the combination of a lecture and tutorial
enriched my learning. The lecture provided a strong foundation in recruitment and
selection practices, while the tutorial fostered self-awareness through practical exercises.
Together, these activities enhanced my understanding, knowledge, and critical thinking
skills, as well as my ability to reflect on my traits and emotional capabilities.

Although I faced challenges in processing the lecture’s dense content and fully analyzing
my test results, these obstacles also taught me the importance of preparation and time
management in academic and professional contexts.

Action Plan

To build on this learning experience, I plan to review key concepts and materials before
lectures to improve my comprehension and focus during sessions. I trust as well that by
actively participate in class by asking questions or contributing to discussions to clarify
complex topics will reinforce my learning. In addition, I plan to allocate time after
tutorials to revisit test results and analyse their implications for my personal and
professional development. And finally, request feedback from instructors and peers to
identify areas for improvement and refine my understanding of the material.

These strategies will help me deepen my knowledge of HRM practices and enhance my
self-awareness, preparing me for future academic and career challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this session provided a comprehensive and reflective learning experience.

The lecture deepened my understanding of recruitment and selection practices, while the
tutorial fostered self-awareness through personality and emotional intelligence
assessments. Applying Gibbs' Reflective Cycle has allowed me to critically evaluate the
session’s strengths and challenges, recognize my growth, and outline actionable steps
for improvement. This experience has not only enriched my academic journey but also
equipped me with valuable skills for personal and professional development.